Tiny crack on N-frame blast shield area?

[MuayThaiJJ]

Anyone know what this is and if it should be a concern? thanks

This was plated in hard chrome recently. I never noticed it before. Everything functions fine though.

 

[alwslate]

Doesn't look like a crack to me, just the edge of the cyl stop.

 

[walter o]

ARE you talking about the line that circles the lug pictured ?
The lug is a seperate piece that is pressed into the frame
If that s what you are asking about I dont think the line is anything to worry about

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. JJ, shoot the gun alot and inspect. Just a line where the lug was pressed into the frame. I see you have a scope, custom thumb piece, and grips.
You gots a shooter man. You aint going to hurt it.

 

[RMFnLA]

That's the cylinder retainer.

It's a non-stressed part that's pressed into the frame.

Being OCD that would annoy me, but it shouldn't cause any issues using the gun.

Never seen that before, might be worth sending a pic to S&W service to see what they say about it.

 

[Alk8944]

Whatever the mark is, it is on the "Frame lug". It is not structural and therefore is not a safety issue.

The part is, as stated, the frame lug, The frame lug serves to keep the cylinder on the yoke when the cylinder is opened. It is riveted into the frame, not pressed!

 

[MuayThaiJJ]

Thanks, guys! Appreciate the quick replies

 

[S-W4EVER]

You learn something new every day. I've had S&W revolvers for almost fify years and I had no idea that was a separate part, I just never gave it any thought (I assume the newer, longer lugs are machined into the frame?)

Thanks for again staring your knowledge.

 

[walter o]

And the mark is the edge of the hole that the lug fits into.The hole ihas 2 steps 1 for the rivet and 1larger for the lug body.the lug may have been removed when hard chrome plating was done.I have removed them to get a better flat polish when re finishing.

 

[2152hq]

I'll be odd man out.
Enlarge the pic and take a look at the lug.
The nearly horizontal line in it does appear to be a crack (IMO)
It is slightly jagged in appearance.
The flat surface of the lug looks like it has a brass or maybe copper punch mark on it. That I'd guess from riviting it back into the frame after the plating operation.

Clic on this and it'll enlarge greatly....





The brass/copper may have been the support for the riveting which was done from the inside of the frame to mushroom the pin of the lug.

Whatever,,the lug appears to have a crack in it to me.

Does it make the lug any less secure in the frame?
Probably not, if the cracked portion is unattached to the pin itself that is riveted on the back side

But I would want a complete Lug in place just the same.
They are an inexpensive part, easy to remove the old one. Easy to install a new one.
Just don't get too heavy handed with the hammer. A dot of red loctite on the bottom of the hole during install helps greatly to keep them in place and deletes the need for overly heavy riveting techniques.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

2152,

Not quite odd man out. I noticed that in the original post, assumed that it was what he was talking about.

As 8944 noted, considering what the frame lug is for, it is hardly an issue.

Personal choice whether or not to pursue it.

56

 

[Retired W4]

I don't know about the crack and what to do about it but I do like that Hogue cylinder release. My nickel 8 3/8" 29-2 is now screaming for one. No scope on it but a Weigand rear sight.

Sorry about the hijack.

 

[stansdds]

I see it too, I'm just wondering how the lug could crack?

 

[alwslate]

Remember the gun has been hard chrome plated. Seems more likely a defect in the plating than a crack in the frame lug.

 

[stang1911]

The person to see about this would be Phil McCracken

 

[2152hq]

Looking at it again I think the crack extends not only horizontaly across the flat surface of the lug, but then down along the raised portion that is there to catch the cylinder when it's open.
That vertical portion of the crack is kind of in a shadow but is there on the enlarged image.

If it's broken,,Fix it or get it fixed. Then your cylinder won't fall out of the gun when you eject the emptys sometime.

 

[stansdds]

Remember the gun has been hard chrome plated. Seems more likely a defect in the plating than a crack in the frame lug.

I think that is a distinct possibility. It's such a low stress part, I just don't understand how it could crack and crack like what is pictured.

 

[steelslaver]

You could punch it out and install a new stainless one. They are $7.91 at Numrich.

But if anything I think the top portion was just a little thin where it rounds over. Just go look at a normal one and see how they are shaped. The only important part is the shoulder the cylinder is pressed against when open and ejecting, by the time the cylinder is closed far enough that it quits touching that face the tip of the center rod is engaged by the dip in recoil shield and it will close up smooth.

As far as the send it in statement, he had it hard chromed, S&W won't do anything about it

 

[sceva]

From my days in Quality Assurance ( Aerospace parts manufacturers ) I learned that almost all Chrome plating is cracked. It is mostly micro cracking when seen under high magnification and does not effect form or function. However you can get cracks in the plating layer on corners where the stress is higher. It is probably in the plating layer only and as long as the balance of the plating is sound it is likely a visual defect only and shouldn't be a problem. If it is a sore spot you'll need to have the cylinder stop removed and replaced.

 

[Hondo44]

2152hq is absolutely correct and if that frame lug is removed, it'll likely come out in two pieces.

How long ago was it hard chrome? I'd consider sending it back to whoever did the hard chrome finish and have it replaced with a new hard chromed lug. Whether or not they take responsibility for the cracked lug will have to be negotiated with them. Either way, I'd have it replaced.

And since you noticed it, you probably won't be happy until it's fixed either.